An induction cooktop at home makes for an energy-efficient and precise cooking time. You may not be tech-savvy, but with these sleek induction hobs, your home would look neater and modernized.
Of course, you just need one more thing: special cookware to fit your particular cooktop.
Today’s focus is the trusted dutch oven. Do dutch ovens work on induction?
Get a glimpse of the variety of dutch ovens and their compatibility with induction cooktops.
Will a dutch oven work on an induction cooktop?
Owning a dutch oven is like owning an infinity stone. The possibilities of what you can make of them are merely boundless!
You can use them to make stews, soups, and sauces. They are key to perfecting great braises and casseroles as well.
They are also good for deep sears and roasts and may even stand for a deep fryer. And, of course, how else would you get that crispy crust for your bread if not for your trusted dutch oven?
A dutch oven looks like stockpots. However, it is heavier, wider at the base, and more shallow than a stockpot. It also has two short handles that make for a steadier transfer in and out of the oven.
Its heaviness imparts dutch ovens’ excellent heat retention. Its tight lid also ensures that the heat remains in the pot even at low temperatures (e.g., simmering).
You can even use your dutch oven as a serving dish! Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they also keep the food warm!
An absolute way to keep a big gathering of friends and family content!
Most dutch ovens are made of cast iron.
Cast iron is heavy and has a high heat capacity. It takes time to heat it to the temperature you want.
Once you do, it has an unparalleled ability to remain at that temperature. Dutch ovens can also be stainless steel and ceramic.
A dutch oven’s versatility in food is one of its most impressive qualities. But is it also versatile when it comes to cooktops? Does a Dutch oven work on an induction stove?
Yes, it does!
Dutch ovens can work on all heat sources, including gas, electric, and induction stoves! Dutch ovens made of cast iron and magnetic stainless steel can work on an induction cooktop. How?
Induction cooktops have copper coils underneath the surface, which create a magnetic field upon running an alternating current. This field heats ferromagnetic materials, like cast iron, when in contact with the induction surface.
Using induction allows for more precise and efficient heating and easier clean-up. It also eliminates a fire hazard.
Perhaps the only thing you need to mind when using a dutch oven on an induction stove is scratching the surface. The surface is usually glass, and a heavy dutch oven can likely break one if you place it haphazardly.
Does enameled cast iron work on induction?
Enameled cast iron is merely cast iron — just clothed. It still retains iron’s excellent heat retention and most of its durability.
The enamel glaze can come in a range of colors, not merely dull black like bare cast iron, making it a fun addition to anyone’s kitchen.
With an enamel coating, you can add acidic ingredients, which will not corrode your cookware. You also don’t need to season it beforehand, which makes it a more convenient choice.
You can use enameled cast iron on almost any heat source except for open flame. The high temperature may chip or crack the enamel coating.
Be that as it may, don’t use your enameled cast iron in an open flame. Instead, you can do it on an induction hob, which will work perfectly fine!
Cast iron is an alloy of iron and carbon. The former element comprises more than 90% of its total composition. Since iron has a ferromagnetic property, you can rest easy knowing that it will work on an induction cooktop.
Can you use Le Creuset on an induction cooktop?
In a world of dutch ovens, who hasn’t heard of the French-Belgian manufacturer, Le Creuset?
If you are a food enthusiast, you probably recognize their vibrant and expensive dutch ovens endorsed by Marilyn Monroe and Julia Child.
(P.S. If you visit their website, they have a special Quidditch dutch oven in Ravenclaw blue that EVERY Harry Potter fan will definitely wish to have!)
However, the hefty price tag lives up to its quality. It’s the piece with a lifetime guarantee— an heirloom that you can pass on to your children.
Le Creuset stayed a must-have in the kitchen because it keeps up with the advancements in kitchenware.
And there’s one modern addition you might be keener on scrutinizing: induction. So, can Le Creuset work on induction?
Let’s save you from googling “Le Creuset dutch oven induction” and get to the point you need to know: All Le Creuset Cast Iron, Stainless Steel, and Toughened Non-stick cookwares are induction-compatible.
Since all Le Creuset dutch ovens contain enameled cast iron, they have ferromagnetic properties, making them suitable for induction cooktops!
Here are some tips you might want to remember when buying before using a Le Creuset dutch oven on an induction cooktop.
- Always match the base of the dutch oven to the induction cooking zone.
- Enamel coating may crack with a sudden temperature change. Do not put your dutch oven from the oven straight into the fridge.
- Keep the induction at medium-high settings for boiling water for vegetables and pasta. Meanwhile, medium to low settings provides searing and frying the best results.
Can you use a ceramic Dutch oven on an induction cooktop?
Most dutch ovens are cast iron coated with enamel. Enamel-coated cookware has a non-porous finish, allowing for greater heating conductivity and a smoother non-stick surface.
However, you can also opt for ceramic Dutch ovens when looking for potential addition to your kitchen.
There’s just a bit of information you need to understand, though: “ceramic cookware” may mean ceramic coated or 100% ceramic.
Ceramic-coated dutch ovens are a type of enameled cookware. The ceramic enamel, which provides the inner and outer layer, comprises glass chips, clay, and oxides. In most dutch ovens, you can find ceramic enamel as a finishing layer for cast iron.
Since their core material is cast iron, they will work using an induction cooktop.
On the other hand, Ceramic dutch ovens are like the cheaper and less-marketed cousins of cast iron dutch ovens. Not many salespeople will talk you into buying it!
Ceramic dutch ovens classify as non-metallic cookware. One notorious feature of these types of cookware is their non-workability on stovetops.
This is due to the heat imbalance when the area near the heat source is way hotter than in other areas. Eventually, it causes the ceramic to break over the stovetop.
However, you don’t need to tiptoe when cleaning ceramic dutch ovens since they are scratch resistant. Most importantly, pure ceramic cookware is naturally non-stick. They are also cheaper than enameled cast irons found on the market.
But, there is a reason why ceramic-coated or enameled cast iron is more popular than any dutch oven. Its range of workability on heat sources is often unparalleled.
Ceramic dutch ovens do not work on induction due to their non-metallic composition. So, it should not be your first choice if you plan on complementing your induction cooktop.
Some companies utilized advanced ceramic technology to overcome the common disadvantages.
Emile Henry, a French company, is a prime example. With their “Sublime” technology, they can make stovetops a viable heat source for ceramics. You can also use their round dutch oven on an induction through an induction disc.
Top induction-compatible dutch ovens
Now that you know more about dutch ovens, you can proceed to the “best induction dutch oven” without further ado!
- Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven— this Lodge dutch oven induction comes at a fair price and a comparable cooking performance to expensive options.
- Le Creuset Signature Round Dutch Oven— comes at a higher price but also assures premium quality and ease of use.
- Lodge Cast Iron Double Dutch Oven— if you are looking for a non-enameled cast iron that you can use on a stove or grill, this one is worth considering.
- Cuisinart Stainless Steel Multi-clad Pro Dutch Oven— provides well-balanced heating and excellent heat retention with its induction-compatible aluminum core.
- Caraway Dutch oven— this ceramic-coated aluminum heats up quickly and evenly, even in low to medium settings. The ceramic coating is durable and also non-stick.
Bottomline: Can you use a dutch oven on induction?
Yes!
It is also best if you check the material of your dutch oven.
Cast iron is a widely popular choice for induction. Magnetic stainless steel comes at a lower price but similarly superb cooking performance.
Meanwhile, you can pair your ceramic dutch ovens with an interface disc to make it work.
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